Young naturalists Study Questions to A Romp of Otters Study and learn facts and ideas based on this Young Naturalists nonfiction story in Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, November December 2016, www.mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine. Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine is your guide to wild things. Every other month, six times a year, the magazine arrives in your school library. Each one has a story for Young Naturalists like you. Are you curious about wild things? Young Naturalists tells true stories that can answer all kinds of questions such as these Have you ever heard of a purple wartyback? How about a pink heelsplitter, pimpleback, or monkeyface? All are Minnesota freshwater mussels. Read Young Naturalists stories to learn which species (kinds) of critters live in Minnesota frogs, salamanders, snakes, wild cats, wild dogs, weasels, mice, and rabbits. Want to peek inside the den of a red fox and see how the kits grow up? Are you a rock hound searching for agates? Have you ever wondered what s alive under snow? How animals see? Why is a bluebird blue? How birds fly? Would you like to hear the true story of giants of the ice age? Young Naturalists also tells you about the underground universe. You can read the story of a tiny owl that went to a hospital with an injured wing. Find out about a boy who worked in a logging camp. Read the story of Ojibwe children today hunting and gathering like their ancestors did. Learn how to get started camping, snowshoeing, ice fishing, or canoeing. Find these stories and more online at www.mndnr.gov/young_naturalists. Your knowledge of wild things helps you explore and enjoy the outdoors. Have fun!
A Romp of Otters Study Questions Study and learn facts and ideas based on this Young Naturalists nonfiction story in Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, November December 2016, www.mndnr.gov/mcvmagazine. 1. Name five adaptations that help river otters live in water. 2. Fill in the blank: An otter can stay underwater for up to minutes. 3. How do whiskers help an otter survive? 4. Name six things an otter eats. 5. Name three things that eat otters. 6. Male otters mark their territory with and.
7. How many otter pups are in a litter? 8. How does a mother otter feed her newborn young? 9. Where do river otters live? A. rivers B. wetlands C. ponds D. lakes E. all of the above 10. Why did otters start to disappear after European settlers arrived in Minnesota? 11. What has happened since then that has helped otters populations recover? 12. What does the author say we need to do we need to do if we want to have otters in our future? Challenge: An otter weighs about 30 pounds. What is the metric system equivalent? Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment Name Period Date 1. Another name for an otter s whiskers is A. vibrissae. B. vibrators. C. glands. D. nose needles.
2. An otter can grow to be feet long and weigh pounds 3. Why do you think groups of otters are called romps? 4. True or false: Otters hibernate in the winter? 5. A young otter is called A. an otterling. B. a romp. C. a pup. D. a kitten. Student Study Guide: Vocabulary crayfish small, lobsterlike animals that live in lakes and rivers dawdle to move slowly fertilized (egg) an egg that is able to grow to become a new animal gland body part that releases hormones or other substances implant (egg) become established inside the mother s body so it can grow imprint to make a strong impression juvenile young animal periscope a device with mirrors that can be used to look above the surface of the water when underwater pollutant a chemical or other substance that contaminates the environment rudder part of a boat used to steer it scoot to move rapidly territory the area in which an animal lives and which it defends
Student Study Guide: Vocabulary cards Cut along horizontal lines, in the middle and tape or staple. Blanks are provided to allow you or your students to add new words or phrases What is a crayfish? A small, lobsterlike animal that lives in lakes and rivers is a To dawdle is To move slowly is to When an egg is fertilized, it An egg that is able to grow to become a new animal is What is a gland? A body part that releases hormones or other substances is called When referring to an egg, to implant is to When referring to an egg, to become established inside the mother s body is to
To imprint is to make a strong impression is A juvenile is a young animal is a What is a periscope? A device with mirrors that can be used to look above the surface of the water when underwater is called a A pollutant is A chemical or other substance that contaminates the environment is a A rudder is A part of a boat used to steer it is To scoot is To move rapidly is to
Territory is The area in which an animal lives and which it defends is its